Strange Ondo deaths: WHO, NAFDAC, SON to regulate local gin production

Following the death of over 20 people after taking local gin also known as Ogogoro in Ode Irele in Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State, the World Health Organisation, WHO, the National Agency for Food Drug and Administration and Control, NAFDAC, and the Standard Organisation of Nigeria, SON, will henceforth regulate the production of local gins in the area.
The deaths, which occurred last month, were initially traced to the consumption of poisoned herbs while the traditionalists claimed that the victims offended a deity “Malokun” in the area.
But after thorough investigation by health experts and laboratory tests, it was discovered that the deaths resulted from methanol poison from the consumption of local gin.
The State Ministry of Health and WHO have debunked the notion that a deity was involved in the death. The state government reported that victims died from of methanol poison.
Health Commissioner, Dr. Dayo Adeyanju, hinted at the weekend of a collaborative effort of government agencies at the state and the federal levels, which has helped to end the controversy surrounding the victims’ death.
Adeyanju said that the state government had given NAFDAC, SON and WHO the go ahead to work with the local producers of the local gin to regulate the quality and quantity of the product.
He said that WHO and NAFDAC had concluded plans to establish a sub-station at Irele, where frequent orientation would be given to people on the dangers associated with consumption of the local gin.
The commissioner also disclosed that sensitisation lectures were being given to the people to stop the “brewing and drinking” of the local gin, which he described as yielded results and had made the area free of the poisoning.
He said 33 cases of methanol poisoning were recorded with 23 deaths and eight of the 10 survivors fully regaining their sight.